How Brazilian Telegram Groups Spread Big Ideas and Big Lies

In Brazil, Telegram groups have become hotspots for sharing big ideas and even bigger lies. During times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, these groups have seen a surge in discussions about the New World Order (NWO), Globalism, and QAnon. But what's really going on in these online spaces? Researchers have been digging into how these conspiracy theories are spreading. They found that NWO and Globalism are like magnets, pulling in people who believe in all sorts of other conspiracy theories, like those against vaccines. QAnon acts like a bridge, connecting these different ideas together. It's like a big web of misinformation, with NWO and Globalism at the center. During crises, people's trust in institutions tends to drop. This makes them more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. It's a vicious cycle: the more people distrust, the more they turn to these theories for answers. And once they're in, it's hard to get out. Religion also plays a role in these groups. Some people use religious narratives to make their beliefs about the NWO seem more legitimate. This helps to create a strong sense of community and shared purpose among the group members. But it's not all doom and gloom. Researchers are working to understand these communities better. They hope that by studying them, they can find ways to combat the spread of misinformation. After all, knowledge is power, and understanding is the first step to finding a solution.